Futuristic Starpath: Burning Sails [IC] [CLOSED]

[Emperor Sagan]

Lucy was motionless throughout the small first aid Typhon provided for her. She was uncertain of the point to the medical dressing, but it was a harmless gesture.

"There are n-n-numerous disguises I could utilize that are of a n-n-non-organic nature," she pointed out. "I could be wrapped in fabric or placed in a b-b-box and one would not notice me."

 

[Infab]

"Well, a few of us can put on these uniforms and distract any that we come across, and the rest of us can take them by surprise. Lets get suited up." said Lauren, drawing a uniform in her size out of the crate along with its associated gear.

Minutes later, those that were going to disguise themselves had done so. "Yscom really likes form fitting clothes...anyway, lets get going." said Lauren finally, stretching in her uniform to get used to wearing it. She had chosen one that resembled the Specialist nearby, so that it'd be easier to move about with the others. They had also taken the liberty of cleaning out one of the boxes so that Lucy could fit inside it. She took the badge from Nathalie, before motioning for the others to follow.

In the back of the room was another corridor, which lead into the rear of the complex a ways before they came to another door. There was another team of grunts here, along with another specialist. Perfect chance to test out their disguises. "You guys stay here and prepare to hit the fuckers. Jerry, cloak yourself. The rest of you, lets go. Like we talked about." said Lauren, motioning towards Nara to push the box containing Lucy along with them. The box itself was a hoverbox, easily moved simply by flipping a switch on the side which activated the jets on the bottom. The disguised group strolled out towards the end of the corridor where the other team was located, trying their best to blend in. Meanwhile, Jericho snuck along behind them cloaked, while the rest prepared to engage.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Lucy examined the box before stepping into, settling inside like a feline as she pulled her legs up to her chest. She peaked her head out over the edge. "C-c-conceal me in darkness. I will persevere."

Once the lid had been fastened over her, she remained quiet and motionless. She attuned her senses to better detect audio vibrations so that she could hear what was going on outside without being entirely cut off from the others. The dark was always a comforting place, and being concealed in this small crate was not unpleasant. It were these sort of moments that reminded her of home.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"...Shouldn't we've discarded all the bodies first?" asks Typhon worryingly as they moved out. Well, he tried warning them at least. As usual, he held back behind the others as they advanced. He didn't disguise himself like the others, since not only could he find a uniform that would fit, he's carrying too much to put on one of them. He also didn't want to disgust the others with his atrophied and scarred body as he undressed.

 

[Doomevil]

"Okay non-disguised people, try to keep hidden." Nara encouraged as she wore her disguise on, ponytail tied into a bun. She carried Lucy and simply followed Lauren and the rest. Meanwhile Grommy stayed back with Typhon.

 

[Viper Actual]

The YsCom uniforms were a bit tight for Nathalie's taste but she did nonetheless manage to blend in fairly well, grabbing a simple combat harness to go over the uniform to sort of resemble a scout. Her own gear was stashed in a small backpack found nearby, further complementing her disguise. Satisfied with it all she followed Lauren, Nara and Lucy-in-a-box. The only concern she had was that any other corporate grunts might suspect an all-women's squad. Good thing infiltration and persuasion was Nat's specialty.

Walking besides Lauren with a datapad in hand Nat remained silent as the group moved forward.

 

[Infab]

The disguised group continued their stroll towards the group standing near the door to the maintenance tunnel, seemingly minding their own business till they spotted (and heard) the group approaching. The specialist stepped up, inspecting the group as he held his weapon down at his side. It didn't take long for him to speak up. "Let me guess. Another crate of materials for the drones? I really wish they'd finish up in there." He didn't seem to care that the group was all women, instead focusing on the hover crate that secretly housed Lucy.

"Yeah, I'll be glad when this shit's over. I could use a beer." responded Lauren. That's right, just toss some small talk in. Then we spring the trap. "Oh, the guys inside the listening post wanted me to tell you something." she added. The specialist tilted his head. "Yeah? What did they say?" he asked.

Lauren grinned beneath her helmet. "They saved you a few spots in Hell." she said, before shoving the crate containing Lucy into the Specialist's stomach as hard as possible. He stumbled backwards, as the lid on the top of the crate slid off. Jack-in-the-box time. Lauren swung her weapon up, firing off a burst of SMG fire into a nearby grunt's stomach. "Shoot the fuckers!" she spat.

 

[Viper Actual]

Nathalie crouched down, unholstered her hand-cannon and fired off a couple of shots in mere seconds at one of the other grunts. She hoped that Lucy could finish off the rest.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Lucy perked up when she heard Lauren's words to the specialist, catching on that a fight was likely going to break out again. She didn't expect the crate to shift at first as it crashed against the specialist, but as the lid slid off, she peered out to analyze the situation in a mere half-second. There was only one clear thing to do.

She splayed her fingers out wide and launched herself from the crate, intending to tackle the man and thrust her talons into his body and rend him to shreds.

 

[Doomevil]

"Umm." Nara's eyes fluttered unable to keep up like the rest of her squadmates. Maybe she can reenact Grommy's punching powers. She raised her fists up, trying to attack one of the grunts who wasn't targeted.

As soon as Grommy heard the big gunfire, he ran past the undisguised and tried to help out by delivering a knuckle punch against one of the grunts.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Typhon pops out and picks a target, firing off as he lined them up in his sights. He aims for their head as he wanted to put them down quickly, and not give them a chance to call in reinforcements like last time.

 

[Infab]

Refinery Clearing - Central Structure (Second Level - Hyper-Rail Maintenance Tunnel Entrance) - Surprise Attack
Lauren = 8. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #1. CorpSec Grunt #1 HP = 3.
Nathalie = 5. Does 1. DMG to CorpSec Grunt #2. CorpSec Grunt #2 HP = 3.
Lucy = 10. CH Roll = 8. Does 4 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 6.
Nara = 9 + 1 (10, Neon Tiger.) CH Roll = 4. Does 3 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #3. CorpSec Grunt #3 HP = 1.
Grommy = 8. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #4. CorpSec Grunt #4 HP = 3.
Typhon = 6. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #3. CorpSec Grunt #3 dead.
Kalashi = 7. Does 2 DMG (Black Fleet Veteran) to CorpSec Grunt #5. CorpSec Grunt #5 HP = 2.
Pearl = 5. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 5.
Renate = 8 + 1 (9, Pursuit Predator.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 4.
​

The group opened up on the team of grunts, delivering a devastating surprise attack. Lauren's SMG rounds knocked the wind out of the grunt she fired upon, the burst of kinetic rounds slamming into the man's chest and forcing him to stumble. Lucy launched herself out of the box and onto the Specialist, knocking him to the ground as her claws shredded his chest armor. After a few moments of struggling, he forced her off only to get tagged by shots from Pearl and Renate whom had sprang from cover to press the attack. Nathalie fired upon another grunt with her handcannon, blowing a huge chunk out of his chest plate. Nara managed to get a good punch in, knocking the hell out of one of the grunts before Typhon's gunshot sent a bullet through the man's helmet. As the grunt fell, Grommy rushed in and punched another grunt that turned to attack Nara. Kalashi finally opened fire, taking several shots at the fifth grunt whom nobody had targeted.

Lauren continued to press her attack, slinging the SMG under her shoulder and drawing out her plasma saber. With the push of a button, the saber deployed and she began swinging the super-heated plasma torch at the enemy she had shot before.

 

[Doomevil]

She had to be honest, Nara thought she was going to botch the punch. But she didn't! Unfortunately for the grunt, he ended up getting shot by Typhon. Nara got goosebumps, seeing Grommy fight the person who was about to hit her. Both of them joined in as a tag team, surrounding the grunt and went for multiple hits.

 

[Viper Actual]

With her initial strike being a success Nathalie pressed on, dodging into cover before firing off another series of shots. Hopefully the sight of Lauren waving a saber around coupled with Grommy crushing skulls would keep the hostiles distracted.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

He's dead. Dropped before he could lay a hand on Nara. Seeing him fall to the ground makes Typhon switch targets, firing again after he's done reloading.

 

[Infab]

Refinery Clearing - Central Structure (Second Level - Hyper-Rail Maintenance Tunnel Entrance) - TURN 1
Lauren = 8. Does 2 DMG (The Butcher) to CorpSec Grunt #1. Corp Sec Grunt #1 HP = 1.
Nara = 6 + 1 (7. Neon Tiger.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #4. CorpSec Grunt #4 HP = 2.
Grommy = 5. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #4. CorpSec Grunt #4 HP = 1.
Nathalie = 3. Missed CorpSec Grunt #2.
Typhon = 9. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 3.
Lucy = 6. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 2.
Kalashi = 5. Does 2 DMG (Black Fleet Veteran) to CorpSec Grunt #5. CorpSec Grunt #5 dead.
Pearl = 7. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist HP = 1.
Renate = 10. CH Roll = 4. Does 3 DMG to CorpSec Guard #2. CorpSec Guard #2 dead.
Jericho = 4. Misses CorpSec Specialist. Cloak Broken.

Refinery Clearing - Central Structure (Second Level - Hyper-Rail Maintenance Tunnel Entrance) - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
CorpSec Grunt #1 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Lauren. Lauren HP = 17
CorpSec Grunt #4 = 8. Targets Grommy. Def Roll = 10 (The Wall.) Absorbs DMG.
CorpSec Specialist = 3. Misses Lucy.
​

Lauren's plasma sword sliced through the grunt's weapon, cleaving it in half and forcing him to drop it. It didn't stop him from retaliating, though, as he quickly drew his pistol and planted a shot in her stomach. The armor stopped the shot, but the kinetic blow from the impact still hurt like hell. Nara and Grommy, meanwhile, focused their efforts on one grunt, delivering punishing hits as the grunt attempted to defend himself. He fired off a burst into Grommy's chest from his SMG, but Grommy's rocky skill easily absorbed the impacts. Typhon, Lucy, and Pearl continued to attack the Specialist, as Lucy clawed at the man while Typhon and Pearl fired upon him. His attempts to shoot Lucy failed, as she was simply too quick for him. Jericho attempted to slice through the Specialist with his blades, but a bump from Lucy threw his aim off. Forcing him to miss the Specialist with his blade.

Nathalie fired upon the same grunt she had shot before from cover, but her shots missed as the grunt dodged them. He wouldn't dodge Renate's gunfire, though, as she gave a more aggressive attack. Her SMG fire ripped through the man's armor, killing him before he even hit the floor. Kalashi had similar luck, gunning down another grunt.

Lauren pressed her attack, continuing to try and cleave through the grunt she was facing off against.

 

[Doomevil]

"Holy moly, did you see that Grommy?!" Nara exclaimed before the grunt immediately fired at Grommy's chest. Even though the rock man absorbed the damage, tearing holes into his shirt, Nara's attitude changed. It wasn't glee or particularly excitement but anger. As a reflex, she tried to hop on the grunt's shoulders, claws out trying to beat him senseless. As soon as Grommy took a few rounds to the chest, he didn't say a word but made a jab against the guy.

 

[Viper Actual]

"That's it, you're going down asshole."

Nathalie stood up, albeit slightly hunched to maintain good accuracy, and advanced on her unlucky target while firing shot after shot. With any luck she could stab the bastard, assuming he didn't get blown to pieces before she got close.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Finally, Typhon advances up from behind cover where he was shooting. Though before he's able to pick a target to shoot at, he notices Nara pounce on a grunt with her claws out swiping angrily. He points his gun at him and fires, wanting to help her make him dead in case the grunt's able to turn the tables on her.

 

[Infab]

Refinery Clearing - Central Structure (Second Level - Hyper-Rail Maintenance Tunnel Entrance) - TURN 2
Lauren = 9. Does 3 DMG (The Butcher) to CorpSec Grunt #1. CorpSec Grunt #1 dead.
Nara = 6 + 1 (7. Neon Tiger.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #4. CorpSec Grunt #4 dead.
Grommy = 2. Misses CorpSec Grunt #4.
Nathalie = 5. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist. CorpSec Specialist dead.
Typhon = 7. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #4. CorpSec Grunt #4 very dead.
​

Lauren's plasma blade arced through the air, before slicing through the grunt's armor as well as his body. It effortlessly cut through until it exited the man's side, slicing him clean in two. Meanwhile, Nara's claws tore through the grunt's face, whom she had jumped on, forcing him to the ground and sending her rolling off. Grommy had intended to hit the man, but missed as he fell over. Typhon didn't miss, however, as he put a bullet through the man's head to make sure he was dead.

Nathalie decided to finish the Specialist off, firing off a burst that pierced the man's chest plating. The kinetic rounds ripped through his heart, effectively ending the man's life as he fell over.

-----------------------------------------------------
​

As the group gathered themselves together after the brawl, Lauren stepped over to a nearby terminal on the wall. It was sitting next to the door which they needed to pass through in order to get to the hyper-rail station, so it must have an unlocking mechanism connected to it. Turns out, it did. It needed a pass card from one of the Specialists that they had encountered. "Looks like we really did need that key card you found, Thighs." said Lauren aloud, as she swiped the card through the machine's card reader. The red light on the console turned green, and a moment later, the door unlocked and opened. "Alright. Lets get going. Quick and quiet. And watch out for those damn drones." she said, motioning for the group to follow as she strolled through the open doorway.

The route through the maintenance tunnel proved to be quite hazardous. Exposed cabling and electrical equipment, missing floor paneling, cramped hallways, drones moving about. There were even sections where the group had to crawl their way through (with Grommy barely fitting.) Luckily, they passed through it without drawing attention or wasting any time. They arrived at the hyper-rail station, emerging from a doorway onto the lower platform beneath the main passenger platform. A train was above, apparently preparing to disembark for the outpost with a group of grunts and drones aboard.

Lauren looked about quickly, searching for a way to board the train, before pointing out a ladder leading up to a hatch in the bottom of the large train. It seemed to be an emergency hatch, in the event that the train stalled or the doors wouldn't work on the upper levels of the cars. "Lets get aboard quickly. Move it." she said, jogging over and scaling up the ladder. The rest of the group followed, climbing up and through the hatch as the train slowly started to move. As the last member crawled through the hole, the train cleared the station, zipping along the rail towards the outpost.

-----------------------------------------------------

INTERMISSION

-----------------------------------------------------
​

Meanwhile, back at the Mordred...

"...Well, we just got word that Scalpel team made it to the hyper-train. Looks like you guys weren't needed for now." said Zadra, over the ship's intercom. Karina glanced to the others. "Which is a good thing." she commented. A moment later, Zadra's voice spoke again over the intercom. "Uhm...hope you haven't got relaxed yet. Got a blip coming towards us on the radar. Might be a scout drone or something, so be prepared."

 

[Viper Actual]

Daniel looked up from where he was sitting, glancing at the others. "A scout drone? Is there any way to take it out without alerting the forces below?"

 

[Breadman]

"That's up to the flyboy." Vulkvo said as he got off the crate he was sitting on. "Knowing those tiny fuckers, we're minutes away at best from getting spotted." He looked at Daniel "So, get ready to go."

 

[joshuadim]

At the lounge, Albert had been enjoying a drink of some scotch as he waited around while the mission progressed further. He had been alone until Vincent showed up, looking for some company to pass the time. The writer wouldn't pass up an opportunity to chit-chat with the person he knew best on board. He motioned Vincent to sit down as he took another glass and poured him a drink. "So, how do you reckon the crew are doing down there? It's been quiet so far, so I'd assume it's going well."

---

Vance was quite pleased to hear that the mission was going well so far and without any hitches, as said hitches usually resulted in casualties from his experience. Although, as Zadra pointed out the potential for action Vance kept himself at the ready in the meantime. "In any case, I'm ready for the fireworks down below." he commented as he stretched his shoulders and gripped his hands together.

 

[Breadman]

"Must be doing well or might have all just died." Vincent joked as he sat down "Course the later wouldn't be good fer us, so I'm going to risk being optimistic and say they are handling the job well."

 

[joshuadim]

"Well, a wise man did once say that optimism feels better than pessimism." Albert replied with a chuckle. "Though if indeed we do end up being screwed, then it was nice knowing you."

Albert raised a glass and offered to toast with the priest.